Imagine a room full of kids, a drag queen in full glam, and a book by Eric Trump—sounds like a recipe for chaos, right? Well, you’re not wrong. On a recent episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, drag icon Trixie Mattel hosted a storytime with a group of children, and let’s just say it didn’t go as planned—especially for Eric Trump’s new book, Under Siege: My Family’s Fight to Save Our Nation. But here’s where it gets controversial: instead of a cozy reading session, the book ended up in a shredder, turned into confetti, with the kids cheering. Is this a hilarious takedown or a missed opportunity for open dialogue? Let’s dive in.
Trixie, known for her sharp wit and unapologetic humor, started the segment by asking the kids, ‘Do I scare any of you?’ One child’s response perfectly set the tone: ‘No. You just look amazing. Why would that be scary?’ It was a heartwarming moment that highlighted the innocence and acceptance of children—something we could all learn from. But this is the part most people miss: the segment wasn’t just about humor; it was a subtle commentary on the polarization of our current political climate.
After a playful debate about which book to read—‘This is, after all, a democracy,’ Trixie quipped, before adding, ‘As of this morning, it’s still a democracy. I’m not sure’—she convinced the kids to tackle Eric Trump’s memoir. The first passage she read described Donald Trump as ‘unconventional,’ ‘not politically correct,’ and having ‘a heart of gold.’ One child immediately interrupted: ‘OK, I’mma stop you right there. Instead of skipping this page, we should skip the entire book. No, instead, we should skip the entire storytime and just go straight to lunch because I’m pretty hungry right now.’ Talk about a mic-drop moment.
Things took an even more unexpected turn when Trixie read another excerpt questioning how Donald Trump, after decades in the public eye, could suddenly face numerous criminal charges. ‘That doesn’t make any sense,’ one child yelled, while another diplomatically said, ‘I think I want to say good job for him to being the president.’ But it was a third child’s remark that stole the show: ‘I would kick him in the [bleep].’ Trixie’s response? ‘Oh, wow! So, kind of escalating quickly this evening.’
The segment reached its peak when Trixie and the kids took the book outside for what she called a ‘science experiment.’ With a dramatic flourish, she tossed Under Siege into a trash shredder, declaring, ‘This might not be a great book, but it’s going to make excellent confetti.’ The kids cheered, and the internet exploded with reactions. But here’s the question: Was this a justified critique of the book’s content, or did it cross the line into performative politics?
Trixie Mattel, a business mogul, musician, and YouTube sensation, is no stranger to making bold statements. She recently graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter’s Creators Issue alongside YouTube CEO Neal Mohan and was named one of 2025’s most powerful influencers on THR’s Creators A-List. Her ability to blend humor with social commentary has made her a cultural force, but this segment raises a larger question: Can we laugh at political figures without dismissing their perspectives entirely? Or is humor the most effective way to challenge narratives we disagree with?
What do you think? Was this segment a brilliant critique or a missed opportunity for meaningful dialogue? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—agree or disagree, I want to hear your take!
